Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Pretty Little Liars
Sitting in a hospital room alone can bring so many thoughts to your mind that you start to think it was real. Having Steven just leaving a few mere minutes with the girls Ezra thought it would be a good idea to stay behind encase Ella or Bryon showed up. But the honest truth is that he wanted some time with Aria even if she was still asleep.
When Spencer called Ella she said that Ella would have been there in the morning, but when she had gotten a call saying the plane was delayed Ezra felt bad. Bad that she couldn't get on another flight and bad that Aria had no family here with her.
When the girls told Ezra that the thought of Steven hurting Aria was an option! He did everything he could to even pass the thought. But as Steven walked into the room holding flowers and balloons with a sad and guilty look on his face Ezra did everything possible to push dying questions aside
For the sake of Aria's well-being he didn't want to cause any trouble. All he wanted at this very moment was to make sure she remembered that he will be there for her. For Aria to heal and wake up.
Without realizing he was crying at the thought of Aria never waking up he felt a hand brace his shoulder. With tearful eyes Ella gave him a warm smile as he stood up to give her a hug, "She's going to be fine Ezra" Ella cooed, "She's going to be okay!"
Pulling away from her Ezra looked down at Ella and nodded, "I'm scared"
"I know" she whispered as the two fell into silence for a short time, "Did Byron make it? Ezra asked and Ella nodded, "Yes, he went and took our bags over to the apartment before heading over here"
Ezra closed his eyes as his stomach growled, "Why don't you go home" Ella offered, "Take a shower and get something to eat."
"I'm okay," Ezra told her pacing back and forth
Ella nodded knowing not to fight with him. Over the years he and Ella have talked about Aria. Ella knew what Ezra did and she forgave him for it. It took sometime but Ezra had eventually talked his way around Aria leaving and found out where she was going. As much as he didn't want to be known as a stalker; that's exactly what he became.
With the help of Alison and the rest of the girls Ezra found out Aria's whereabouts and even flown over to see her graduate High School.
After several hours of silence Ella stood up, along with Byron and they both parted ways with Ezra. Ezra who turned over to the nurse asked if he could have a private room for Aria. He didn't want to have unknown people walking in and out trying to visit their loved ones. He wanted Aria all to himself. And when the nurse told him that Aria's insurance didn't cover for a private room Ezra upped and told her to bill him everything. He wanted to make sure that Aria was well taken care of.
As the sun rose the next day Ezra woke up to see Stacy there with fresh clean clothes for him. Smiling he took the bag and walked into the bathroom. Knowing that it wasn't a bathroom for guest, Ezra took a quick shower and brushed his teeth before the nurse came back into the room.
Letting out a yawn Ezra walked back into the room and Stacy handed him a take-out plate of food which he happily took. After taking his first bite and washing it down with some water he spoke, "How much do you know?"
Stacy smiled, "I know everything." She smirked, "So how did you and Aria keep it a secret from the world?" she giggled
Shrugging his shoulder he picked up another forkful of food and chewed it down, "It was hard at times, especially for Aria." Ezra looked down at his food, "And me." He admitted, "It was hard to see guys her own age asking her out and I couldn't do a damn thing about it"
"Is that why the two of you broke up?" Stacy questioned, "Because you were jealous"
Looking at her with a confused expression about hearing that she knew everything Ezra just shook his head. Apparently she didn't know everything, "How did you find out?"
"The girls love to whisper. But Hannah was the one that whispers a little too loudly for her taste, "She paused, "I know they think that Steven hurt her. But I highly doubt that my brother would even touch Aria like that."
Licking his lips Ezra placed his food down on the best side table, "Why doesn't Steven believe in marriage?"
"I really don't' know." Stacy looked at Aria, "All I know is that when he was a teenager, Steven and some girl were really close. Steven and the girlfriend at the time ran off and they both got into a car accident. Mom and Dad don't like to talk about it and Steven just pushes it out to the side. But I know he's hurting. Every now and then he and Dad talks about it when they think no one is listening." She stopped and sucked in a breath, "I think it's because of her, and I think that Steven doesn't want to get married and have kids because no one can compare to her!"
"Well," Ezra announced, "His lost is my gain."
After a few moments Stacy spoke up again, "Are you going to tell Steven?"
"About what?" Ezra asked getting his food from the table, "About me and Aria?" Stacy nodded, "Within time. But first I just want to know if Aria's going to be okay"
LINE BREAK
Ella and Byron returned to the hospital in time to see the girls and Steven surrounding Aria's bed. With large smiled they greeted everyone with warm hugs and a hand shake towards Steven as he stiffen up from extreme tense towards Byron.
"Did the doctors say anything?" Byron asked towards the girls, "Anything at all?"
"They said that she's doing well and the stitches behind her ear will come off within a week" Emily answered, "They also said that she should have been awake by now and to let nature take its course!"
Letting out a few tears Ella turned to Aria, "Baby, it's time to wake up now!" she announced silently, "Everyone is waiting for you!"
"Where's Mike?" Hannah questioned, "I thought he'd be here?"
Nodding his head at Hannah, Byron answered, "He'll be here later in the week. I didn't want him missing his last year of school. So I told him to finish up his work before taking a break." There was pause before he looked around once more, "Where did Ezra go?"
Lifting an eyebrow raise Steven shrugged, "He went to the house, said something about making plans."
"You remember" Ella told him, "His father's wedding."
"That's right!" Byron smiled. Steven looked at Byron before looking over to the girls who just ignored him.
Steve knew that Byron didn't like him very much and he figured it was due to the fact that his only daughter is dating. Something about that over protective system of father and daughterly bond. Of course he was the same way with his sister. But little did he know it wasn't that Byron did like him. Byron in fact liked him a lot.
But just like Ella, Byron too formed a line with Ezra. With everything pushed to the side, Byron and Ezra grew close. At this time in place Byron saw Ezra, as Aria's savor and wished Steven was out of the picture.
As the group made small talk Ella held onto Aria's hand that whole time. Ezra had returned a few hours later when the group was talking about how they spent their summer. He eventually joined in and told them about all the benefits that he had done for his mother and how he would step in for his father and take his place.
Ella felt a squeeze on her hand and smiled not thinking too much of it. But when she felt that hand try to eject theirs out of her grasp she turned to face Aria who had lifted her hand up to her head. Everyone there started to chatter in happiness.
"What happened?" Aria whispered feeling her head, "My heads pounding,"
"I'll get the doctor," Steven rushed out of the room.
"Where am I?" She questioned looking around the room seeing her friends and parents and Ezra standing there, "Are you okay?" she looked Ezra square in the eyes, "Why are you crying?"
Byron moved out of the way so Ezra could stand next to her. He reached for her hand and with his free hand gave her a small cup of water. She took it and with a little sip she felt like she had her voice again, "I'm sorry," she told him.
"What are you sorry for?" Ezra asked looking her dead in the eyes, "I'm glad you're okay!" he was about to bend down and kiss her but felt every pair of eyes on him. Just then Steven came back in the room with the doctors and rushed to her side.
Aria then looked at Steven before looking at Ezra who now had his hands in his pockets, "Babe." Steven smiled as the doctor looked her over, "I'm so glad you're awake."
"Ms. Montgomery," The doctor stated, "I'm Dr. Patrick Harold. Can you tell me your date of birth?" He asked shinning the light into her eyes. When Aria replied with the right birthday he went on with his evaluation.
"So how long am I here for?" Aria questioned pushing herself up towards the head of the bed
"We want to run a few more test to make sure your head is okay." He replied sweetly, "And if everything runs smoothly I would say within a day or so. But I want you to take it easy. You took a really bad fall and we don't want to push it."
Aria nodded her head a little "Can I can something for my head?"
"Of course," he wrote down a few notes in his pad, "I'll get the nurse in to bring you something. In the meantime, I want you to get some rest."
"She will." Byron smiled, "Thank you Doctor" he shook his hand.
"If there is anything else, just have the nurses page me and I will be right here."
When everyone fell into an uncomfortable silence; not knowing what to say Aria was the one who spoke up first. "I would like to talk to Steven for a little bit. Can everyone please leave?"
Looking around at each other they all nodded and Steven looked at Aria with worried eyes. He didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know if Aria still remembered what happened or if Aria was going to embrace him.
With everyone gone Aria pushed herself up once again and crossed her legs patting the bed for Steven to take a seat. "I know you didn't mean it." She told him in a mere whisper as tears started to build up. Steven looked at her with a short nod, "But I can't go on living like this."
"What are you saying?" he squeaked out, "Aria I'm so sorry that I hurt you. You have to really believe me" He stood up, "I want to be with you."
Aria looked down at her arm as the bruise mark was still there, "I believe you. But I-"she choked out, "But I can't be with you anymore. I'm sorry!"
Wiping his face he let a few tears fall, "Aria. Please don't do this." He pleaded, "I'm sorry. I will never hurt you again."
There was a growl that came from the doorway and they both turned around to see Ezra standing there. "So it's true!" he hissed, "You son of a bitch"
"Ezra don't'" Was the last words Aria spoke before Ezra swung his fist to Stevens jaw.
So I'm trying this thing where I don't leave any or too many cliffhangers but sometimes I just can't help myself. *insert evil laugh here* it's just too funny and I love reading what you lovely people write, so keep them coming.
Thank you! Everyone for those reviews, omg, I am so happy to read them every time.
Next chapter coming soon... Maybe tomorrow or well, I know before the end of the week any... Curious as to what's going to happen next? Well, I guess you just have to stay tuned! MUAH
